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Silverfish

…silverfish are an ancient order of insects, appearing on the Earth in the Carboniferous (360-300 million years ago)?

…silverfish can live up to six years?

…the presence of silverfish in a home does not indicate lack of cleanliness, but more likely abundant hiding places?

…their silvery scales serve silverfish as feelers?

…silverfish do not need to drink, because they absorb water from moist air through a specially adapted anus?

Lepisma saccharina by Miroslav Deml - image is under CC BY

General info

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Zygentoma

Size: 1-2 cm

Food: organic material

Habitat: everywhere in homes

Distribution: world-wide

Relationship with humans: pest

Biology

Silverfish are miniscule wingless insects, whose body is covered with silvery scales. They are mostly nocturnal, when they seek out humid areas (bathrooms, toilets, basements), or places where there is plenty of food and shelter (bakeries, pastry-shops). Silverfish avoid light and can often be spotted trying to hide in a corner after the lights are turned on in a room. They live on substances containing protein and saccharides, like paper, books, tapestries, cotton, leather, silk, flour, sugar, cereals and glue. In small numbers they are essentially harmless, but they can cause problems when they multiply. Silverfish live in nature, usually dwelling under rocks, fallen leaves, bark and such. They lay up the three eggs at a time in tiny cracks.